Grapple



C. J. REIGH `Bain. 12, 1954 GRAPPLE Filed Jan. 2, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENToR.- '/aeneefZ/Le ATTORNEYS.

C. J. REHGH GRAPPLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 2, 1951 I N VEN TOR:

A TTOARNEYS.

`Fam l2, i954 Q J, REIGH K '2,565,937

GRAPPLE Filed Jan. 2, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 J0 /f/ AM 16 fil A TTORNE YS.

Patented Jan. 12, 1954 UNI TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GRAPPLE- Clarence. .I1 Reign, Altoona, Pa.,4 assigner to The Pennsylvania. Railroad Company, ,Philadelphia. Pa.,j a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 2, 195.1, Serial No..203,8.83'

18 Claims. (Cl. 294-67) This invention relates vto a. grapple for one gaging and lifting loadobjeots, and. 111.011@ pal.- ticularly relates to a grapple carrying load engaging elements effective alternately to engage :and disengage the load in response to. the bodily movement of the grapple itself, or of parts thereof.

Conventional load holsts have ordinarily been provided with independently actuated load eneaeine means such as hooks or the like... For eX- a-mple, solenoideoperated load engaging hooks have been employed for lifting and transporting conventional L. C, L.. containers troni place to place between trucks, railroad cars. platforms, and the lilie- Other hookeactuatine in eans. such as electr-ic and other n-iotors,v have also been used. These are ohjectionablein that the motors or-solee noids which serve to operate the lood engaging hooks are very heavy, particularly for use in heavy duty grapples. The weight` of such actuating means is necessarily carried by the hoist.,v land substantially reduces the. effective lifting capacity of the hoist. Y

looreover` the grapplefoperatine means hereto-` fore employed are generally operated independently by the hoist operator. without relation to .the operation of, the other parts of either the grapple or the hoist. Such operation is subject. to error in that, due to accident. or inadvertence, the necessary steps are not always carried out in their proper sequencet Heavy loads are handled and liited by grinning the load at several spaced points, often located. at the corners oi the load.r With conventional apparatus it isy often. di-iiicult for the grapple. op,- erator to alien the grapple with the loadv and to determine whether or not elective engagement has been attained at all such spaced points... Failure properly toA grip. the load before lifting has resulted in damage. to the load,l to the. containers tberefon and even tothe grapple itself..

Solenoid-attuatori. load engaging hook-s are sul ject to the furtherobjectionv that a large amount 'of electricity is consumedv in operating the sole-l hold- For this reason it has beenA the prevailing practice to energize 'the solenoid only for effect.s ing movement of the loach.engagingE means, and to cleenergize the solenoid; irnrnediatelv.l after on.- gagement or release. of the load, lettera en ing engagement oi the, load; andi deeenereinatio of the solenoid.. thev hooks other: load-engaging i-r-.ee to .more Cent; as. th

.rded bvf reason o... ot r engage 1n nt between the hooks.- a-nd. the; load. Ocea- ..slifn'ialle external iorcesfare acollent.alla applied to. the. hooks after the load has. been lifted. disengagling the grapple and damaging the load..

It is accordingly one .object of the. present invention to provide an eilcient and. economical grapple. Another objecty of the invention `is to provide a grapple. having loadsengaging means of minimum weight, It. is a .still iurther object 0i the invention to provide a grapple. having loadengaging means which operate in accordance with a fixed sequencev of steps dependent llDQn the` movement ofthe grapple itself. Still another object is to provide. mechanical means for alignine; the grapple with ther load, and for antoniatie cally operating the.- load-engaging means when the grapple contacts the load. It is a still fur ther object of this 'invention to provide positive looking means. for` maintaining the load engaging hooks of the grapple in xed position When the load is supported by the grapple. Other obieets and advantages of the invention, including slin-v plicity and economy, and the, convenience and economy of operation of the same, will appear in further detail hereinafter.

In sulrnmary.,k the foregoing and other objects are. attained by the provision. of a grapple. coin-V prising a pair of, frame members movable rela-v tiveto one. ano-theixload engaging means mounted on one of said frame. members, cam operated means actuatedv by movement. of the frame inein-v bers toward and away from one. another to move. said loa-.d engaging means. for engaging and. releasing, the. load and means also. operative. response to. the: relative movement. of the. frame members for alternately activating and inaotivat, ing said. earn means.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 represents a side. elevation. of a. grapple which, constitutes one form of the, invention, the grapple beine suspended above. the loadA which is here. represented in the. form of a standard C'` L. container;

Eig: .2 represents a similar side. elevation of the. grapple and containen, showing the position assumed by the parts of the apparatusA whenit engagesthe load;

Fig. 3,. represents a side elevation similar to Figs. 1 and 2, the erapreY havingengaged the container,` and the grapple and container beine suspended. from. the. hoist;

.Fiat e. represents afurther view similar to. Figs` indicating .the position. assnmed bv the grapplewhenY the. container is lowered and de nosited oponen independent support;

Figs. 5,. 6 and 7 represent sectional views taken as indicated by the lines arrows KLV.; Vlie- VI and VII-VII, respectively, which appear in Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 represents a view in perspective of one specic form of cam means in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 9 represents a View in perspective of one form of load engaging means in accordance withthe invention;

Fig. 10 represents a fragmentary side elevation of da modied form of load engaging element; an

Fig. l1 represents a View in perspective of the load engaging element shown in Fig. l0.

It is to be expressly understood that the embodiment of the invention selected for illustration in the drawings constitutes one preferred embodiment thereof, and that the invention is also capable of assuming a wide variety of other forms not shown.

Having reference more particularly to Figs. 1-6 of the drawings, it will be observed that the specic grapple selected for illustration includes a pair of rectangular frame members a collapsible linkage in the form of lazy tongs pivotally connected to both frame members l, a set of load engaging elements or hooks |2 slidably mounted on the lower frame member I0 for engagement and release of the load L, and cam operating means comprehensively designated i3, which serve to move the hook elements i2 in accordance with a definite sequence in response to relative movements of the frame members i6. The upper frame member ||lV carries pulley wheels |4 accommodating the cable |5 which is attached to a conventional hoist (not shown) for raising and lowering the entire grapple: assembly and thereby effecting the movements of the hook elements I2.

The frame members l0 include four beams I6 arranged at right angles to one another, and connected together at their ends. Beams I6 are reinforced by a pair of centrally disposed cross beams i1.

Attached to the beams IE are the pairs of fixed brackets 20, disposed one above the other on the respective beams 16, which serve as connectors for the scissor bars 2| of lazy tongs One of each vertical pair of brackets 2B has a pair of aligned slots 2'2 through which a pin 23 is projected, each scissor bar 2| being apertured for pivotal connection on said pin 23. The scissor bars 2| are crossed and pivotally joined at their centers, and each is also pivotally connected by means of pins to the opposed bracket 2B of the pair. Each scissor bar 2| thus has one end pivotally connected to one frame member and the other end pivotally connected on a sliding pivot to the other frame member which occupies the same vertical plane, providing a collapsible linkage whereby the lower frame Ill may be suspended from the upper frame In in such manner that the frames have capacity for movement toward and away from one another. rIfhe channel shaped limit pieces 24 are pivotally mounted to depend from the point of intersection of the scissor bars 2|, and serve to limit the extent of movement of each frame IB away from the other.

A rigid rod 25 is mounted on the lower frame member I0. Also on the lower frame member l0', spaced at points adjacent the rod 25, are a pair oflimit pins 26. Opposed pairs of grapple centering arms 21, the arms of each pair'being connected at their free ends by the transverse centering bars 3D, are pivotally mounted on the rod 25 and depend therefrom. As will be apparent,

the limit pins 26 are positioned for contact with the edges of the upper portions of the arms 21 to limit the extent of downward movement of the free ends of arms 21. The transverse centering bars 30 have load engaging surfaces constructed and arranged to contact the back surfaces 3| of container-hooks 32 of the load, thereby centering the grapple in relation to the load. The transverse centering bars 30 have spaced indentations 33 providing another set of opposed hook engaging surfaces, spaced closer to one another, for use in connection with standard containers having container-hooks 32' the backs 3| of which are correspondingly spaced, see Figs. 2 and 6. Thus the transverse centering bars are capable of acting as centering devices for use in connection with different load pieces having hooks or other upstanding elements spaced at different distances.

The transverse rod 25 also carries a standard load lifting hook 34 which may operate together with or independently of the principal loadengaging elements of the invention, for grasping and lifting a load.

The slidable vload engaging elements of the structure are the hook elements l2 which are formed integrally with the sliding bars 35. Each bar 35 is disposed substantially horizontally along a lower frame member i0, for sliding movement within the channels formed by the beams l5. As indicated particularly in Fig. 9 of the drawings, each sliding bar 35 carries a spaced parallel bar 36 carrying an upwardly projecting support 3'! on which a pin 40 is rigidly mounted.

The rest pieces 38, 38' which are attached in xed positions at the corners of the lower frame member I6, are spaced for engagement upon the upper edges of hooks 32 and have side projections 39, 39' which bear against the outer side surfaces of the hooks 32, 32 to restrain the grapJ ple against movement sidewise of the load when the load is engaged by the grapple. The hook engaging edges at the bottom of rest pieces 38, 3B' also coact with the load-engaging hook element i2 to provide gripping action above and below each container-hook 32, 32', holding each containerhook securely in place as the load is lifted and carried.

Each rest piece 38, 38' carries a set of downwardly disposed projections 39, 39 for use in connection with standard containers having diiierent spacing for container-hooks 32 and 32', as will be apparent.

Spaced upon the upper frame member in positions corresponding to the sliding bars 35, are the rigid plates 4| and 42 which are parallel and spaced apart by spacer plate 43. As indicated more particularly in Fig. 8 of the drawings, the plates 4|, 42, 43 are held together and secured to the base plate 44 by the ilush bolts 45. Each base plate 44 is bolted to one of the upper beams i6.

The bar 36 lits between-the plates 4| and 42. Plate 4| which is cut away at corner 50 for the purpose of facilitating the assembly of the structure, is disposed between the bars 35 and 36.

The pin 4|) is mounted in the track formed by the aligned vertical slots 46 and the angled slots 41 which are formed in the plates 4|, 42 and connected at their upper ends on each individual plate 4| and 42. It will be observed that additional substantially triangular portions of the plates 4| and 42 are out away at the intersection of the slots 46 and 41 to provide space for limited iree movement of pin 40 above the slot 41. Ac-

atomes? cordingly plates itl, 42' have substantially hone zontal and vertical cani edgesst', @S

Referring to Fig. 'l' of: the drawings, itiw'illi be observed that a pin4 51 isH screwed. intoY the plates M, 42, d'3'. Pivotallyv depending from pin el' is a swinging switch plafte 52; which is' maintained in position by spring 53; dise` 54', and co'tter' pin 55?. Switch plate 52 is' out away' centrallytoform an opening bounded by a pair' of ca'rn' following' edges 55, 51, anda pair of cam edges 6G", Sil'. The; cam following edges 5t, 51' serve to swing each switch plate 52 about its. pivot pin 5f inV response? to movement of pin GG', thereby placing the cam edges 6o, 6i in position to guide' the pin 4o for travel alternately in vertical slot 46 and in'. the angled slot 4T, as will appear further detail hereinafter. The extent' of swinging movement of the switch plate 52 is limited' by' thestationary limit pins 63', 64'. A

Referring now particularly to Figs. lo and" l1 of the drawings, the modified loa'd' engaging hook 85 there represented is pivotally suspended from the rigid stationary mount t6., with capacity' to swing about the pivot 6l. The lever ar'rns TD` of load engaging hook 65 have aligned vertically disposed slots 'H and the sliding bar 35 carries a pin l2 slidably mounted inthe'slo'ts 'H1 Accordingly the sliding movement of bar serves to swing the curved rods 73, v1li inwardly and outwardly about the pivot 6T" for engagement and release of the load, as indicated in Fig. 1'0. The curved rod 'i3' has a hookl engaging bar' i5 which is constructed to engage a container-hook 32 in the position represented in dot-dash'l'ines in Fig. 10. The curved rod 'M has an onset hook engaging' bar 'IS which serves to engage the' container-hook 32 represented in solid. ii'nes in Fig. 10. Accordingly the load engaging hook 55 is constructed for engaging and' lifting different standardizedl containers, on which differently spaced container-hooks are mounted.

The operation of the apparatus will be apparent', reference being had particularly to Figs'. 1 4 of the drawings. Assur'ning it is desired to pick up the container L and'to redeposit this container at another location, thel grapple is lowered over the container with all parts positioned as indicated in Fig. l, the hook" elements' l2' being po'- sitioned at their extreme outer positions', away from the center of the lower `frame member i5. Accordingly the pins e@ which operate' the load engaging hook elements I2 are at the lower ends of the angledslots 47 of plates il and Q2. As the grapple is lowered, the transverse. *centering` bars contact and slide along the top ofV the container L, ultimately engaging the backs 3l of the hooks 32, centering the grapple in relation to the container L. The rest pieces 3i! then Contact the tops of the container-hooks 32. Up to this point the scissor bars 2l are atrnaximum extension, as governed by' channel pieces. 24; due to the weight of the lower frame member lil. However further lowering by the hoist permits the upper frame member il! to move downwardly While the lower frame member it is supported on the containerhooks 32 and remains stationary, thereby co1 lapsing the scissor bars 2i. Moreover the relative movement cf the upper and lower frame inembers lo causes the upper edges ofthe angled slots il to 'exert force in sidewise direction on the pins 4) thereby moving theni to the' positions indicated. in Fig'. 2. The agled cani surface 6i) of switch plate 52 assists in urging pins 4:0' to the extreme positions directly above vertical slots 48. This movesv the hook elements l2 towardrv each other, magnate@ commenters. a2; er uw containerv L. Lifting force is then applied.-v tov the Y hoist andthe upper'framemember I0 is moved upwardly while the lower fra-me member t0 re- :nains in' position dueto its own weight, and to the weight of the container l. The verticali track 4'6 is accordingly drawn upward-ly past the statioria'ry pin d'0. Since the vertical track- @t is in@ active the pin 4t remains iin position and the hook elements t2' doY not move. Moreover the hook elements' l2 arelocllred against movement in a sidewise direction while the'pin 3U is in the Vertical" slot' 4G". As the plates 4|-, 42' andl switch plate 52 are drawn upwardly' the pin 40 contacts thel carnfollower edge 55 thereby swinging: the switch piate 52 about pivot pin 5^?! to the position indicated in- Fig. 31. The containerL is then lifted and transported by means ofthe hoist to the desired' location; ail parts being then in the positions yshown inlig;

For depositing the" container L at thev desired location, the hoist lowers' the grapple until the weight ofthe container L is supported from the bottom. Upon further lowering, the weight of the upper' frame member lil causes' it to' move toward the lower frame' member IB which remains stationary. This moves the plates 4l, 4Z and switch plate' 52* downwardly bringing the cam edge Si of switch platel522 into contact' with pin lili. Pin 4'0" is accordingly moved'- to' 'the side and the attached hook' elf-:inents [2f slide ina. direction away from 'one' another, passing out from be heath the containerehooks 32` and releasingA the load, all as indicatedfin'Fig. 4 of the drawings.

Upon raising the grapple the upper frame member I0 moves upwardly while the lower frame member Ill remains stationary by reason of its own' weight. Accordingly the plates el, d2 are drawn past' pin 402 which slides along the vertical edges 49 of* plates 4i and $21'. Upon furtherl lifting the caniI follower surface 5l of swingingswitch platekSZ 'contacts' pinA llt, swing ing the switch plate 5,2l to the position indicated inFig. 1 as' the angled slot M moves the. pin 4B' sidewise to the position of Fig. l. Also by reason of this further' movement of pin @e under thev influence of thelower edge of angled slot el, the' hook elements' l2 are moved tothe extreme position, away from`v one another, preparatory to engaging another load object,l to be handled in the' manner previously indicated.

Therefore it will be apparent thatl the upper and lower edges of the angled slots e1 represent the active elements of a cam mechanism since these are eie'ctive in moving a cam follower which is here illustrated in the form of the pin 4U. Further, the substantially vertical slots et represent the inactive elements of the cam mechanism" in that they are ineffective to movel the pin 40. Moreoverthe" switch plate 52 constitutes means forA activating and inactivatinar the cam mechanism since the switch plates 52 serve to guide the pin 4G alternately to the inactive and to the active cam elements. The switch plate 5-2 is operative` inV response to thev relativer movement of the frame members if in that it is swung about its pivot by the pin fie when the frame members arev moved towardv or away from one another.

It will be appreciated that, while I have referred to the members lo' as frame members, this doesnot ini-plyv any restriction as to size or shape. It intended' that' this term Shall he construed in its broad: or functional sense rather than in af limited or structural sense, since trame accesar or" other body members of widely variable character maybe substituted for the frame members shownin the annexed drawings.

While I have described my invention withv reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes other than those referred to above may be made in the form of the device, that equivalent elements may be substituted for those illustrated in the drawings, and that certain features of the invention may be used to advantage independently of the use of other features, all within the scope and spirit of invention as dened in the annexed claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A grapple comprising a pair of frame members moveable relative to one another, lazy tongs connecting said frame members together, load engaging means on one of said frame members, cam means mounted on one of said frame members, a cam follower connected to said load engaging means and actuated by said cam means in response to relative frame movement for effecting engagement and release of the load, and a selective element in the form of a switch pivot-- ally mounted on one of said frame members, said switch being actuated by the movement of the cam follower to alternately activate and inactivate said cam means.

2. A grapple comprising a pair of frame members moveable relative to one another, lazy tongs connecting said frame members together, load engaging means on one of said frame members, cam means in the form of a plate having a pair of interconnected angled passages mounted on one of said frame members, a cam follower constructed and arranged to move in said passages,

said cam follower being operatively connected to the load engaging means to effect engagement and release of the load while travelling in one of said angled passages, said cam follower having capacity to move in the other angled passage without effecting engagement or release of the load, and a switch normally disposed on one of said frame members in of the cam follower to alternately direct the follower for movement in different ones of Vsaid angled passages, thereby selectively activating and inactivating said cam means.

3. A gravity operated grapple comprising a the path of advancement l pair of frame members one above the other, collapsible means connecting the frame members together, load engaging means on one of said frame members, cam means on one of said frame members including a substantially vertical track and an angled track connected to the vertical track above its lower extremity, a cam follower attached to said load engaging means and constructed for movement in the tracks of said cam means, and switch means on said cam means for directing the cam follower for movementv alternately in the substantially vertical track and in the angled track. .i

4. A grapple comprising a pair of frame members one above the other, a collapsible linkage connecting the frame members together, load engaging means on one of said frame members, cam means on one of said frame members including a substantially inactive track and an active track connected to the inactive track, a

cam follower attached to said load engaging means and constructed for movement in the tracks of said cam means, whereby the position of the load engaging means is changed in response to movement of the cam follower in the L activeA track, switch means -in the form of a swinging plate pivotally mounted on a pivot fixed relative to said cam means, said swinging plate having a passageway in which the cam follower moves, means for limiting the extent of swinging movement of the swinging plate and means on the swinging plate passageway for contacting and directing the cam follower for movement alternately in the active and inactive tracks of the cam means, whereby the cam means is alternately effective and ineffective to move said load engaging means.

5. A gravity operated grapple comprising upper and lower frame members, a collapsible linkage connected to both said frame members with capacity to suspend the lower frame member from the upper frame member, a hoist attached to the upper frame member, load engaging means on the lower frame member, cam moans on one of said frame members and cam follower means on one of said frame members and operatively connected to the load engaging means with capacity to shift the load engaging means in response to relative vertical movement of the frame members, thereby engaging and releasing the load, said upper frame member having suflcient weight to overcome friction to move the load engaging means by operation of gravity alone when the grapple is lowered upon the top of the load, and the lower frame member having suicient weight to move the load engaging means when the upper frame member is lifted by means of the hoist upwardly from the load.

6. A grapple comprising a pair of frame members moveable relative to one another, a collapssible linkage connecting said frame members and maintaining said frame members substantially parallel, load engaging means in the form of opposed hooks slidably mounted on one of the frame members for movement toward and away from one another, said hooks being constructed and arranged to grip the load at the top thereof, cam means on one of said frame members, switch means on one of said frame members foractivating and inactivating said cam means, cam follower means actuated by said cam means in response to relative movement of the frame members when the cam means is activated, said cam follower means being attached to the opposed load engaging hooks to move said hooks toward and away from one another to engage and release the load, and said switch means also being operative in response to the relative movement of the frame members for alternately activating and inactivating said cam means.

'1. A grapple comprising a pair of frame members moveable relative to one another, a slide bar mounted on one of said frame members for sliding movement thereon, a load engaging hook attached to said slide bar, a cam follower fixed on said slide bar, cam means mounted on the other of said frame members with capacity when activated to operate said cam follower, said cam means being actuated Aby relative movement of the frame members toward and away from one another to move said cam follower, slide bar and load engaging hook for engaging and releasing the load, and cam controlling means connected to said cam means and operative in response to the movement of the cam follower for alternately activating and inactivating said cam means.

8. A grapple comprising a pair of frame members moveable relative to one another, load engaging means mounted on one of said frame members, a cam follower attached to said load engagingmeans, .camz-means 'sarthe ,other ai; :said-` ing switch. on .oneeoffsaid frame membersadiacent-said: cam means, anxinternal passage ysaid swinging-:switch-whereintthe cam l.fol-lowergis ldisposed, guide. means 1.011 the swinging l` switch fordirecting `the scam.l follower i. for kassociatien, Aa-ltervand inactive.elements ofl nately with the ,active the .camzmeans and 'dedmeans on thawinging switch disposed thepath of .travel of. the cam follower, ziorfmovingf. thesWinsine switchen response to the fmovement'of :the camfollower-v 19: A :grapple ...comprising .a1-.pair of relatively moveablev frame memberspmounted fone above. the

other, brackets onthegrespective frame members,v

crossed scissor, bars eac-h ...mounted ,0n wa i fixed pivot to.- oneY of saidibrackets-and on a ,horizontally slidable mountftotheotherfof said brackets, whereby the frame members are held substanf tially parallel -dnringrthescourse of movement of the frame members toward and away from one another, 'load'.engaging-means ,mounted ononepf said framernembers, camoperatedmeans on one of the frame members actuated by movement of the frame members toward and away from one another and connected-to said"load engaging means with ycapacity'-t'offm'o'v'e said load lenseging meansi'lforfengaglng and-releasing the load, and switclrmeans 'on one of said frame members operative inresponse-tothe relative movementof the frame members for alternately activating and inactivating said cam means.

1G. The invention as defined in claim 9 further characterized by the provision of restrictive means on said scissor bars limiting the extent of movement of the frame members away from one another.

11. A grapple for engaging a load having an upstanding hook thereon, comprising a pair of frame members moveable relative to one another, load engaging means mounted on one of the frame members and moveable relative thereto for operative engagement of a lower portion of the hook, iixed means on said one of the frame members for engaging an upper portion of the hook thereby providing positive gripping action thereon, cam means on one of said frame members actuated by movement of the frame members toward and away from one another, said cam means being connected to said load engaging means and effective when activated to move said load engaging means for engaging and releasing said hook, and switch means on one of said frame members also operative in response to the relative movement of the frame members for alternately activating and inactivating said cam means.

12. A grapple comprising a pair of frame members one above the other, a collapsible linkage connecting said frame members together and suspending one frame member below the other, the lower frame member including a channel having outwardly directed flanges, a sliding bar mounted between said flanges for movement on said lower frame member, a load engaging element attached to said sliding bar, lifting means attached to the upper frame member to raise and to permit gravity lowering thereof, whereby the upper frame member may be moved toward and away from the lower frame member, cam operove .i the 16am opperative in responseto the ive movement ...of the frame members for alternately activating and inactivating said cam mefllsber charaCigfZd-i .by ith? fa-Cl that ih@- load .16.1.1.- g-a s element is; 11.1` the ,farmer a .Support-'plaie rigidly mgiinied, rifthesiide bar-for S1idinem0ve ment inlinewith,theflowerframe member, Y

14. A grapple comprising a pair of; framemembers-ose aber@ the?. other a *.Coilapsible linkage connecting said .frememembers .together and suspending one frame member below the other.. theflower frame memberbeing-in thel .forme ofia channel. having iianges thereon, a lsliding ,bar

mounted between saidilanges, a ,xedsmountaon saidiower framemernber, aload engaging ele,- meiii .Divgizally suspended from said :mounten vertical slotfin.saidfloadengaging elementfaxed pin ,on K the-.slide bandisposed within said-slot to actuate swinging movement of the iload-en gagging eier-nent about itsjpivot .inresponse toy the moilef ment YOftiie siidinafbersiileansattached -;to,;t he upper/frame me. berto `raisefand .-,tor` permit gravity -lfiwerii1-gl thereon whereby the upper frame ,membereiny-be.. moved toward and away from the lower:framemembeiy-camy operated malisfslippoiied byrie; @Maidframe-members i and.-Qpelaie il responsesigfrelaiire. ,movement ii-.the kfreineffii@.filters iofmOi/.esaidsiiciiris parte effect pivotal movement of the loadv engaging element to engage and disengage the load, and switch means on one of said frame members operative in response to the relative movement of the frame members for alternately activating and inactivating said cam means.

15. A grapple comprising a pair of body members movable relative to one another, load engaging means carried by one of said body members, cam means on one of said body members having active and inactive cam portions, cam follower mea-ns supported by one of said body members and operatively connected to said load engaging means with capacity to actuate the same, and switch means on one of said body members, said switch means having a cam surface arranged to contact said cam `follower and switch it from said active cam portion to said inactive cam portion, and said switch means also having a cam follower surface that is movable relative to said cam means and arranged to be moved by said cam follower for resetting said switch means relative to said cam means.

16. A gravity operated grapple comprising upper and lower frame members, suspension means connected to both said frame members to suspend the lower frame member from the upper frame member with said lower frame member having capacity to reciprocate up and down relative to said upper frame member, restrictive means preventing relative rotation of the lower and upper frame members, hoisting means for raising and lowering the upper frame member, load engaging means frictionally carried by the lower frame member, cam means on one of said frame members and cam follower means onone of said frame members, said cam follower means being operatively connected to the load engaging means with capacity to shift the load engaging 11 meansin response to relative movement of the frame members, thereby engaging andreleasing the load, said upper frame member having a weight greater than the existing frictional forces which oppose the shifting movement of the load engaging means, whereby the upper frame member hascapacity to shift the load engaging means by operation of gravity alone when the grapple is lowered upon the top ofthe load, said lower frame member also having a weight greater than the existing-frictional forces which oppose the shifting movement of the load engaging means, whereby the lower frame member has capacity to move the load engaging means by reason of its weight alone when the upper frame member is lifted upwardly from the load.

17. A load lifting device comprising a pair of body members movable'relative to one another, connecting means between the body members for guiding said relative movement, load engaging means carried by one of said body members, cam means carried by one of said body members, a cam follower connected to said load engaging means and guided by said cam means in response to relative body member movement for effecting engagement and release of the load, and a selective element in the form of a switch carried by and movable with respect to one of said body members, said switch being movable with respect to its body member in response to movement of said cam follower and effective alternately to activate and inactivate said cam means in response to the movement of the cam follower.

18. A load lifting device comprising a pair of body members movable relative to one another, connecting means between the body members for 12 guiding 'said relative movement, said connecting means including restrictive means preventing either body member from rotating relative to the other body member, and restricting said relative body member movement to a linear path, load engaging means carried by one of said body members, cam means carried by one of said body members, a cam follower connected to said load engaging means and guided by said cam means in response to relative body member movement for effecting engagement and release of the load, and a switching element carried by and movable with respect to one of said body members with capacity to switch said cam element between operative and inoperative positions with respect to said cam follower, said switching element having capacity to move in a plane disposed at an angle to the linear path of said relative body member movement, said switching element being movable with respect to its body member in response to movement of said cam follower and eiective alternately to activate and inactivate said cam means in response to the movement of the cam follower.

CLARENCE J. REIGH.

References Cited in the file this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Brandon Oct. 1, 1940 

